1 Don’t worry about safety at your childminder’s home
You’ve got stair gates, corner bumpers and anything else you can find to baby and child-proof your home. And your childminder’s home is just as safe – if not more so.

Sarah says, ‘Childminders do risk assessments of their setting all the time. These will be formal risk assessments that are written up and then they will be risk assessing throughout the day.'

With these regular and thorough checks to look for potential safety hazards, there’s no need to worry about your child’s safety while he’s there.

2 Don’t assume childminders just put the TV on …
Away from a more formal setting of a nursery, some parents *might* think the childminder pops the telly on to entertain the kids.

Definitely not, says Sarah. ‘There’s a structure of a routine throughout the week – it’s not just this open-ended, telly-watching scenario.

‘Your childminder should let you know the routine of the day and show you the resources they are using, eg the toys and activities, so you can see they are accommodating various ages of children.’

3 Don’t forget childminders are OFSTED rated
This is something often overlooked. Yet your childminder is OFSTED inspected (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills), just as your local nursery or school is.

OFSTED-registered early years providers must follow the Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS), which sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five years old.

And the vast majority of registered childminders – 91% – have been graded ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

'Parents might view childminders as more relaxed than a nursery and not understand that they have a fairly rigid routine they have to stick to, including giving you weekly or termly updates about how your child is doing.’

4 Don’t worry about your child’s food
Worried that your childminder is going to feed your kids biscuits and juice? Your childminder should show you a menu of what they will be giving your child to set your mind at rest.

Sarah says, ‘Food is a great source of stress for many parents. Whether their child is beginning the weaning stage, they are worried about the content of the food, or the fact their child doesn’t eat well at home.

‘Your childminder will try and take that stress away and let you know exactly what they’re giving your child. It’s home-cooked, where possible.

'Your childminder should ask for a list of everything your child eats beforehand, and what you’d like them to start trying.’

5 Don’t worry about the school run
You know only too well how stressful the school run is. But don’t worry about your childminder facing the same daily battle to get everyone ready and at the school gates on time.

Sarah says, ‘Your child won't behave in the same way with a childminder as he does at home. There’s a group mentality – he'll want to emulate the other children putting their coats and shoes on.

'So it’s probably easier to get out of the door as a childminder than as a parent!’

6 Don’t assume you can be late
You’ve heard the horror stories about parents being charged for being 10 minutes late for nursery pick-ups.

And while childminders have more flexibility, that’s no excuse for being continually late to collect your kids.

Sarah says, ‘Because childminders are in their own homes there can be an assumption that they can accommodate someone being late. However, it’s important not to think that this will be fine.

'If your childminder wasn't around on time in the mornings that would be a problem for you as a parent. It’s about having mutual respect for each other.

'If you think you’ll often be late on pick-ups, let your childminder know early on. This will help your relationship with your childminder to be more positive.'

7 Don’t worry about 'information overload'
You probably don’t want to be seen as an over-protective ‘helicopter parent’, sharing every last detail of your child’s routine and life with your childminder. But the more you tell them, the better.

Sarah says, ‘It’s important parents tell the childminder as much information as they can. Has your child been left before in childcare or with babysitters?

'What’s your child’s routine? And don’t worry about information overload. The more details, the better.’

8 Don’t try and hide your feelings if you’re anxious about leaving your child
Leaving your little one in childcare is hard. But be open about your feelings and fears and let your childminder chat them through with you.

Sarah says, ‘Be candid about your own feelings: some parents are fine about leaving their child; for others, it’s a real wrench.

'Of course you’ll have concerns and worries and all childminders accept that and expect that. They'd never want to make a parent feel bad about their anxiety.

'Anxiety is a normal part of leaving your child and everyone will have different levels of that. If it’s your third child, you might be more relaxed than if it’s your first child.’

Sarah says, ‘Sometimes there can be the view that childminders have a lack of knowledge or professionalism.

'But all registered childminders have to undertake first aid and childcare training and the majority of childminders (69%) go on to gain a further early years or childcare qualification. On top of this, almost 10% have a degree-level early years qualification

'Childminders will also work in partnership with other childcare professionals. If they have a child with speech problems for example, a good childminder will then look for additional training to support that family and child.’

Have you opted for a childminder or a nursery? Why not join the chat in our Coffeehouse forum, below.